People in Vietnam and in many other countries will be able to watch a total lunar eclipse on October 8, according to the Vietnam Astronomy and Cosmology Association (VACA).

The lunar eclipse starts at 3.15pm. The partial eclipse will occur at 4.15pm and the moon will be totally eclipsed at 5.54pm local time, said Dang Vu Tuan Son, chairman of VACA.

The total eclipse will end at 6.24pm, the partial eclipse will end at 7.24pm and the eclipse will be over by 8.34pm.

Son added that the best time to witness the eclipse in Vietnam is from 5.45pm to 8.34pm.

Hoang Quoc Phuong, web administrator of the Hanoi Amateur Astronomy Association, said that the last total lunar eclipse seen in Vietnam was on December 10, 2011. Since then, there have been six lunar eclipses, but they were either not visible in Vietnam, or it was too dark to see the moon.

Viewers can see the eclipse with the naked eye, but they are advised to use binoculars or telescopes for a better view. Astronomers added that the people should look towards the eastern horizon to see the eclipse.-VNA